Condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals



June 29 1926. 1,590,521

F. JURETZKA CONDENSING APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH AN ELECTRIC FURNACE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE METALS Filed April 20, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lttorner),

June 29 ,1926. 7 1,590,521

F. JURETZKA CONDENSING APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH AN ELECTRIC FURNACE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE METALS Filed April 20. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1' van Zar;

June 29 1926.- 1,590,521

CONDENSING APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH AN ELECTRIC FURNACE F. JURETZKA FOR THE .PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE METALS Filed April 20. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ JURETZKA, OF BRESLAU, GERMANY.

CONDENSING APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH AN ELECTRIC FURNACE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE METALS.

Application llled April 20, 1923, Serial No. 633,501, and in Germany April 22, 1922.

My invention relates to volatile metals and an apparatus for the condensation of volatile metalsespecially zinc fumes or vapors produced in an electrothermic furnacefrom suitable zinc ores or compounds.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the kind for the purpose of increasing the efiiciency of the eleotrothermic process with a view to ensure a comparatively larger output in molten zinc than hitherto obtainable in furnaces and apparatus of the kind.

A. further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the type in question that is extremely simple in constructlon and highly practical and which may be made at a comparativel low cost.

With these 0 jects in view the upper part of the condensation chamber is divided into a plurality of separated sections by means of a partition or partitions depending from the top of the chamber and projecting downwards, so that the gaseousor volatile products of the furnace are caused to pass through the several sections of the chamber successively. I

In a condensing chamber constructed in the above stated manner mainly the first section should SQIXG for the condensation of the zinc fumes or vapours, whereas the second section or any further sections, generally do not contribute to condensation, as long as the process is norm-ally conducted, but act to assist in condensing fumes or vapours in case of'irregularities occurring in the process, so that they mainly serve as supplemental and safety condensing spaces.

The bottom or lower part of the condensing chamber is preferably made of funnel or conical shape or in the form of a trough having inclined faces to facilitate the flow of the molten zinc towards the centre or median line thereof, whence it will be discharged from time to time through an outlet provided for the purpose with a slide damper or the like.

In some cases it will be advisable to give the bottom of the chamber a rounded or semicylindrical shape and to provide therein a stirring member with a view to thereby further exonerate the second or further condensing sections.

In case of a chamber having a. semicylindrical bottom or trough the stirring member may be shaped to form a similar semicylindrical trough adapted to receive the liquefied zinc and mounted in the bottom ortion of the chamber so as to allow of being reciprocated about a horizontal axis.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of the present description. These objects are accomplished by such means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like parts through out the several views:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the furnace with the condensing apparatus or chamber comprising two divisions or sections.

Figure 2 is a similar sectional view of the furnace with a modified condensing apparatus comprising two divisions or sections and a super osed story or cap. I

Figure 3 1s a sectional view of the lower part of the condensing chamber shaped to form a semicylindrical bottom or trough with a stirring device therein, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the semicylindrical bottom or trough of the condensing chamber with a stirring device therein of a modified construction. a

Figure 5 is a plan view to Figure 4 and Figure 6 is a urther similar view of the semicyclindrical bottom or trough, with the stirring device shaped and mounted therein to form a receiving trough of corresponding semicylindrical shape.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fi ure 1 the gases produced in the furnace and consisting mainly of zinc fumes or vapors and monoxide of carbon, are discharged from the furnace through the passage a into the condensing apparatus. The latter comprises a chamber divided b a partition b into two sections C and C. The partition 6 causes the incoming gases or vapors to rise and remain for a time in the section C. The thus obtained upward flow of the gases-is supported and expedited by and owing to the fact that a more ready condensation of the zinc v'apors takesplace on and near the outer wall of the section C due to the radiation of heat therefrom and the thereby caused cooling of the wall, so

that the zinc vapors will liquefy in the section 0 and fall to the bottom, in the shape of minute drops, more readily in the vicinity of the outer wall than inthe neighbourhoo of the partition I).

In consequence of this differential kind of condensation a continuous circulation of the gases or vapors entering the condensation chamber through the passage a takes place in the division or section 0, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1, that is to say, the gases or vapors flow upwards mainly near the partition I) and downwards near the outer wall of the section and drop liquefied or condensed metallic: zinc more readily at the downward travel. The thus cooled and downward flowing gases or vapors meet, at the lower end of the section, the hot gases or vapors flowing from the furnace through the passage a into the condenser, whereby the still very fine drops of metallic zinc contained in the flowing current will increase in size and at the same time the available condensation surface will enlarge, so that the efiiciency and output in molten zinc will be correspondingly increased, the more so as, on the other hand, the formation of zinc dust necessarily must remain within restricted limits owing to the high tem erature still prevailing in the section C. he liquefied or molten zinc gathers in the funnel-like-bottom d in order to ble discharged therefrom through the outlet At the lower end of the partition I) a vertically adjustable sliding plate is provided, and projecting downwards, in accordance with the adjustation made, as far as required to intercept the flow of the incoming gases and vapors. At. the upper end of the section C an outlet u is provided for the incondensable gases to escape therethrough either to the atmosphere or for further utilization. H

The continuous condensation of the zinc vapor results in that the upper portion of the condensing sections fills with gases which more and more become rich in monoxide of carbon, so that the fresh vapors and gases supplied by'the'furnace will be prevented gradually more and more from rising and circulating in the first section. To remed this disadvantage special means are provi ed in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 2, said means comprising a second story or cap 1 on top of the condensing chamber, said cap constituting an auxiliary chamber f which, as in the embodiment shown, may be divided into two .sections by means of a partition f having an interconnecting opening f.

In the top wall of the sections C and C there are provided outlets adapted to be closed by means of valves '0 manually operable through suitable levers. Said valves are opened or closed in accordance with the requirements of the process carried out in the apparatus, for the purpose of allowing the carbon monoxide to escape from the upper portion of the condensing chamber.

In the embodiments of my invention shown in Figs. 3 to 6 the bottom of the condensing chamber is in the shape of a trough fol of semicylindrical cross-section and a stirring device is provided therein. The stirrer consists of a body 7' keyed to a horizontal shaft to and having anumber of vanes s. The shaft w is duly supported in bearings and equipped with suitable means such as a driving pulley not shown by which it is reciprocated with the aid of appropriate intermediate means from any suitable source of power. A short distance above the shaft w a protecting shield or roof t'is provided. Said roof is mounted in the trough d in any appropriate manner to extend over the whole of the length of the shaft w which in turn is supported in suitable bearings (not shown) and equipped with driving means as hereinbefore stated. The roof acts to prevent sediments precipitating from the vapors and gases flowing through the chamher, from settling on the shaft, so that the latter will remain free from excessive incrustations.

The shaft is preferably given a reciprocatory movement as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3; by means of a cam or any other suitable driving means, not shown as will be clearly understood by persons versed in the art. The mechanism by which the shaft and the stirring body 1' with its vanes s are reciprocated is adjusted in a manner that the vanes 8' never protrude beyond the surface of the bath of molten zinc wherein they move, lest any articles or drops of molten zinc should be t rown up into the gas-filled chamber and be, exposed to the liability of oxidation. 3

The condensation or liquefaction of the zinc vapors or fumes is brought about mainly or even totally in the first section so that practically no condensation takes place in the second section or subsequent sections, if more than two sections willbe provided.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the stirring vanes or blades 8 are disposed in inclined position with respect to the plane of the axis of the shaft w or, in; other words, with regard to the direction of movement of the stirring body r. The latter comprises two arms m and m of the offset construction shown, the one arm projecting inthe plan view shown in Figure 5, farther to the right-hand side and the other arm projecting farther to the left-hand side from the vertical axial plane, so that the three vanes or blades 8 ri 'dly connected with the two armsin parallelism occupy the aforesaid inclined position.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 6 the stirring body 1 is shaped to form a semioylindrical vessel or trough 2 rigidly connected by means of radial arms y to the reciprocating shaft p. As will be seen from the showing the vessel 2 serves for the reception of the liquefied or condensed zinc and at the same time for keeping the mass of liquid or molten metal in motion owing to the reciprocatory move ments imparted to the vessel by the shaft. This construction ensures a still more perfeet safety against splashing.

In order to discharge and remove the molten zinc from the chamber the stirring vessel 2 is turned upwards into the position shown in dotted lines, so that the zinc will flow out from the vessel into the trough d, an opening or outlet n normally closed by a suitable closure being provided for discharging the zinc from the trough (i At the inner sides of the upper part of the trough protective ribsz' may be provided for the purpose of preventing any solid bodies from accidentally dropping into the free space between the trough (Z and the stirrin vessel 2 so that jamming will be avoide From the foregoing description, it is believed, that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily understood and therefore, further detail description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice I find that the forms referred to as the most practical and preferred embodiments are the most efficient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily vary in concurrence with the adoption of my apparatus, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in the detail of construction and in the pro ortion of parts in particular as regards t e shape of the trough or vessel 2 which may have a cross-section different from the one shown and described, and the corresponding shape of the trou 11 (i may be resorted to when required wit out sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the ower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a discharge opening at the bottom of said chamber, and a partition depending from the top of the chamber so as to divide the upper part of the latter into two sections essentially as described.

2. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for theproduction of volatile metals such as zinc, comprising achamber, an inlet assage at the lower end thereof, an outlet ,or incondensable gases,

a discharge opening at the bottom of said chamber, and partitions depending from the top of the chamber so as to divide the upper part of the latter into a plurality of sections, essentially as described.

3. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases. a discharge opening at the bottom of said chamber, a partition depending from the top of the chamber, so as to divide the upper part thereof into two sections, a cap on top of said chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, openings in the top of said sections, and valves for the controlling of said openings, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a preferably semicylindrical bottom having a discharge opening, a stirring member mounted in said bottom and adapted to reciprocate, and a partition depending from the top of the said chamber, so as to divide the upper part of the latter into two sections, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a preferably semicylindrical bottom having a discharge opening, a stirring member mounted in said bottom and adapted to perform reciprocatory movements, a partition depending from the top of said chamber so as to divide the upper part thereof into two sections, a vertically displaceable plate connected with said partition for adjusting the vertical length of the latter. and a cap on top of the chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a preferably semicylindrical bottom having a discharge opening a stirring member mounted in said bottom and adapted to perform reciprocatory movements, a partition depending from the top of said chamber so as to divide the upper part thereof into two sections, a vertically displaceable plate connected with said partition for adjusting the vertical length of the latter, .a cap on top of the chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, openings in the top of the said sections, and valves for controlling said openings, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a preferably semicylindrical bottom having a discharge opening, a reciprocatory stirring member mounted in said bottom and having stirring vanes arranged at an inclination with respect to the axis of rotation, and a partition depending from the top of said chamber so as to divide the upper part of the latter into two sections, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc. comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable ases, a preferably semi'cylindrical bottom aving a discharge opening, a stirring member mounted in said bottom to oscillate to and fro and having stirring vanes arranged at an inclination with respect to the axis of oscillation, a partition depending from the top of said chamber, a vertically displaceable plate connected with the said partition, and a cap on the top of the chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electriq-nt'urnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a preferably stirring member mounted in said bottom to oscillate to and fro and having stirring vanes arranged at an inclination with respect to the. axis of oscillation, a par-- tition depending from the top of the said chamber, so as to divide the upper part thereof into two sections, a vertically displacea-ble plate connected with the said partition, a cap on top of the chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, openings in the top of the said sections, and valves adapted to control said openin essentially as and for the purpose set fortll 10. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a trough-shaped bottom having a discharge opening, a stirring member of similar trough-shape mounted in said'bottom to oscillate therein to and fro and adapted to receive the condensed zinc, a partition depending from the top of said chamber so as to divide the upper part thereof into two sections, a vertically displaceable plate conncted with the said partition, a cap on top of the chamber to form a superposed auxiliary chamber, openings in the top of the said section, and valves adapted to control said openings essentially as and for the purpose set forth. v

11. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace for the production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for incondensable gases, a partition depending from the top of the chamber so as to divide the upper partthereof into two sections, a trough-shaped bottom having a discharge opening, a stirring member in said bottom, a shaft mounted in said bottom to carry said member and impart reciprocatory motion thereto, and a protective roof provided over and above the said shaft, essentially as and for the purpose specified. a

12. A condensing apparatus in connection with an electric furnace forthe production of volatile metals, such as zinc, comprising a chamber, an inlet passage at the lower end thereof, an outlet for-incondensable gases, a partition depending from the top of said chamber, a trough-shaped bottom having a discharge opening, a stirring member of similar trough-shape mounted in said bottom to reciprocate therein and adapted to receive the condensed zinc, and protection ribs provided at the inner sides of the upper part of the trou h-shaped bottom, essentially as and for t e purpose specified.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signa ture.

FRANZ JURETZKA. 

